Back and Better than ever

Emily Lawerence'17

With spring comes green grass, blue skies, warm weather, and softball. Bedford girls will be back on the field in just less than a month, starting in early April with a series of scrimmages to prepare them for their season. The team is returning with goals in mind, ready for action after a strong finish last year.In the spring of 2013, the varsity softball team experienced a change in their season, a division bump. They shifted from division two up into division one, making them compete against some of the strongest teams in the state. Taking the advance in stride, the Bedford girls knew how to continue to grow as a team, even with bumps in the road. In this way, they recognized that each game could be utilized as a learning experience. Seeing how other teams excelled or in the other sense, did not, brought light to the subject of how the game was played differently in the new division. Also, the group could learn about their own flaws and strengths by playing new schools. A combination of a watchful eye and excellent team camaraderie brought Bedford into the playoffs at the end of the season. Although they didn’t exceed past the second round, being able to adapt to a new situation so well was their true success.“We made a name for the Bedford program in our first year in division one, which sets us up to be a contending team this year,” commented Kelly Woodmansee, a senior and a pitcher for the Varsity team. High expectations have placed Woodmansee and the team in the right mindset for a solid season.Softball is sport which involves thinking and even more importantly, communication. This aspect of the game is lost in a team that isn’t on the same page. A lack of connection wasn’t the case last year and so it hopefully won’t be an issue this year. Although, with the class of 2013 no longer here at Bedford High School, the varsity team is down four players. Incoming freshmen or soon to be team members in other grades will join the team to fill the missing positions once more, but with each change and new season, a new compatibility must be formed.“We need to rebuild and create that same positive team atmosphere we had last year.” Woodmansee said. Of course, she also shared another equally important aspect to playing the sport: the fun of it. She said, “We are always looking to have fun as a team as well, that's what keeps playing softball enjoyable!” We wish the softball team luck as they look to take on another challenge!